Tolerance Book I (Chicago PD/Med FF) by Frances51163

Chapter Thirty: Glencoe

A week later Jay, Will, Conor and the ex-Rangers from out of town had been moved to a safehouse outside the city. Glencoe the village they were in was located in the northeastern part of Chicago, on its' North Shore.  It had a local population of under 9,000 and that factor alone meant that the choice had not been welcomed by Jay or the other members of the Unit.  It was a known fact that strangers stood out more in lower populated areas.  Hank however had not budged and said it would be a good place to stay and also a good place to defend.  The five bedroom house located on Mary Street had shocked the men upon arrival.  It was quite obvious this was a multi-million dollar property and therefore did not fall within the pervue of a safehouse.  Hank simply said his friend owned a lot of property.  Upon exploring the men found that the modern build had many rooms including a library, a gymnasium and a movie viewing room.  The spacious white kitchen with glass panel cupboard doors screamed of money.  The two refrigerators were found to be full upon inspection.  The black marble countertops gleamed to perfection matching the black tiled floor.  All in all it was a beautiful house but the Detectives noticed one glaring flaw.  There were several large windows thoughout the property but most had no blinds or curtains.  In fact only the bedrooms had roller blinds. Antonio and Al had approached Hank about the issue when the others went back upstairs to pick out bedrooms.

"Nice place Hank but it's too open," Al spoke watching his old friend look out the kitchen window, surprised by the apparent oversight.
"Guys I've thought about this," Hank turned back to face the concerned men, "shutters are being fitted this afternoon."
"You're friend going to have a problem with that?" Antonio asked with a frown.
"No," Hank shrugged then got down to what was really bothering the men, "I'm not used to explaining myself but the reason I chose this place is it's away from the city and if Jay decides to take off we have a better chance of catching up with him before he gets to his father."
"You think he'll try to leave," Al stated rather than asked.
"You think he won't?"
"Not sure.  At the moment he's very hard to read.  I know the waiting is stressing him out. Not that he'd say it."
"We have to make sure he stays," Antonio joined in.
"We'll have to have someone with him at all times."
"Oh he's going to love that," Al spoke wrily as he opened one of the nearest refrigerator doors and began to take out some items to make a sandwich.
"Doesn't matter whether he does or not," Hank pointed out resolutely as he snatched a small tomatoe from the counter and headed upstairs.
"You think this is a good idea?" Antonio queried when they were alone as he gestured to their surroundings.
"Yeah I do," Al located a chopping board and removed a knife from a black block, "just wish this was over."
"Me too."

Upstairs Jay had decided that he was taking the first bedroom, at the head of the stairs. It had one bed and an ensuite.  Will had argued that the two of them could double up.  It was a king size bed after all.  His brother had simply shaken his head, picked up his gearbag, walked into the peach coloured room and closed the door.  Will had taken a step to follow but Conor had tugged his arm and said they would take the second room, with two beds, and he could still be close to his brother.  Leaving the third and middle room for Hank and Al Adam and Kevin chose the fourth room which they would share with Antonio although there were only two beds.  Antonio would have to settle for the floor if the three were resting at the same time.  The three former Rangers had opted for the last room which had three beds.

"So what do you think?" Will looked across at Conor as they put clothes away in the large white fitted wardrobe.
"He's doing okay considering everything that's happened," the Surgeon spoke as he hung up a shirt.
"You think he can handle our father?"
"I don't know," Conor was surprised by the question as his friend would be a better judge of that.
"I don't either," Will admitted as he put away his small suitcase and sat down on the bed nearest the door claiming it as his, "he's having nightmares again."
"He tell you that?"
"Didn't have to.  I've walked in on him a couple of times but each time I went to wake him he quietened down so he never knew I saw him."
"Be surprised if he didn't," Conor shook his head as he crossed the plush dark green carpet and looked out the window.
"He always had them when he was a kid.  Can't imagine why," the older Halstead said with sarcasm dripping from his tone, "sometimes I wonder how he keeps going after the hell he's gone through."
"He's strong, like his brother."
"No. I'm not as strong as he is.  And I should be because he's the baby brother not me."
"Doesn't work that way.  Every one is different.  Age doesn't matter," the dark haired man turned away from the window, "and you are strong."
"Just not as strong as Jay," Will stood and followed his friend out into the hallway.
"Nothing wrong with that," Conor stated honestly then pointed to the first door, "have a talk with him.  I'm going to check out the library."
"You're remarkably calm about missing work," Will spoke as his friend headed down the stairs.
"Jay doesn't need to be worrying about my job. We're lucky Ms. Goodein is so understanding.  He's apologised already for putting me out.  I told him it's not his fault."
"He believe you?" Will asked as he placed a hand on the door handle.
"No but I'll keep saying it until he does."
"Thanks Conor.  You're a good friend."
"Yeah, yeah," the Surgeon continued down the winding stairs brushing off the compliment.

Knocking on the door at the same time as he turned the handle Will was surprised to find the room in darkness, the blackout blinds pulled down.  Heart pounding he scrambled for the light switch and relaxed when he saw the figure in the bed.  Hurriedly turning off the light he turned on a small orange brass lamp and closed the door.  Walking around to the other side of the big bed he looked down at his sleeping brother noting dried tear tracks.  He sighed internally wishing he could protect his brother as he should have in the past.  He was more determined than ever to stand by the young man who constantly exemplified courage and integrity.  None of this was Jays' fault yet he was shouldering the burden of their fathers' actions.  Will pulled the covers up more fully over the still form before him and thought back to the conversation Conor and himself had had with the Sergeant a couple of days prior.  Hank had reiterated their safety was a priority and they needed to take a leave of absence.  Although not happy both men had agreed.  Hank had then confided that he believed as a child Jay had been threatened with Will getting hurt or killed.  The older man had gone on to explain that Jay had not said it directly but it was implied by the certainty he spoke with when discussing the mans' ability to kill.  Their father would have used such threats to control the youngest Halstead.  Will had accepted the harsh reality of Hanks' words.  The realization left him heartbroken.  He decided when his brother woke they were finally going to have a proper talk, no matter how uncomfortable it was for either man.

tbc